Of thy associates, Adam, and will taste No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitary. What think'st thou then of me, and this my state? Of happiness, or not? who am alone 405 From all eternity, for none I know Second to me or like, equal much less. How have I then with whom to hold converse Save with the creatures which I made, and those 410 Beneath what other creatures are to thee?" 'He ceas'd, I lowly answer'd. "To attain The highth and depth of thy eternal ways All human thoughts come short, Supreme of things; 415 Is no deficience found; not so is Man, Canst raise thy creature to what height thou wilt 430 I by conversing cannot these erect From prone, nor in their ways complacence find.” 435 "Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleas'd, And find thee knowing not of beasts alone, Which thou hast rightly nam'd, but of thyself, Intended thee; for trial only brought, To see how thou couldst judge of fit and meet: 440 445 What next I bring shall please thee, be assur'd, Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 450 'He ended, or I heard no more; for now My earthly by his Heav'nly overpower'd, Which it had long stood under, strain'd to the highth In that celestial colloquy sublime, 455 As with an object that excels the sense, Dazzl❜d and spent, sunk down, and sought repair Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd By Nature as in aid, and clos'd mine eyes. Mine eyes he clos'd, but op'n left the cell 460 Of Fancy my internal sight; by which Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape Who stooping op'nd my left side, and took 465 From thence a rib, with cordial spirits warm, And life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound, But suddenly with flesh fill'd up, and heal'd: The rib he form'd and fashion'd with his hands; Under his forming hands a creature grew, 470 Manlike, but different sex, so lovely fair, That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now And in her looks, which from that time infus'd 475 And into all things from her air inspir'd VOL. II. D The spirit of love and amorous delight. 480 Led by her Heav'nly Maker, though unseen, 485 And guided by his voice; nor uninform'd Of nuptial sanctity, and marriage rites: Grace was in all her steps, Heav'n in her eye, I overjoy'd could not forbear aloud. 490 ""This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfill'd Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign! Giver of all things fair, but fairest this 495 And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul." 500 Yet innocence, and virgin modesty, Her virtue and the conscience of her worth, That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won, Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retir'd, The more desirable, or to say all, 505 Nature herself, though pure of sinful thought, Wrought in her so, that seeing me, she turn'd; I follow'd her; she what was honour knew, And with obsequious majesty approv'd My pleaded reason. To the nuptial bow'r 510 I led her blushing like the morn: all Heav'n, And happy constellations on that hour Shed their selectest influence; the Earth Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill; Joyous the birds; fresh gales and gentle airs 515 520 'Thus I have told thee all my state, and brought My story to the sum of earthly bliss Which I enjoy, and must confess to find In all things else delight indeed, but such As us'd or not, works in the mind no change, 525 Nor vehement desire; these delicacies I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flow'rs, Far otherwise, transported I behold, Transported touch; here passion first I felt, 530 Commotion strange, in all enjoyments else Superior and unmov'd, here only weak Against the charm of Beauty's powerful glance. Not proof enough such object to sustain, 535 Elaborate, of inward less exact. For well I understand in the prime end 540 Of Nature, her th' inferior, in the mind And inward faculties, which most excel; Her own, that what she wills to do or say, 550 Loses discount'nanc't, and like Folly shows; As one intended first, not after made Build in her loveliest, and create an awe 555 To whom the angel with contracted brow. 'Accuse not Nature, she hath done her part; 560 Do thou but thine, and be not diffident Of Wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou Dismiss not her, when most thou need'st her nigh, 565 Less excellent, as thou thyself perceiv'st. For what admir'st thou, what transports thee so? An outside? fair no doubt, and worthy well 570 Well manag'd; of that skill the more thou know'st The more she will acknowledge thee her head, And to realities yield all her shows: 575 Made so adorn for thy delight the more, So awful, that with honour thou may'st love Thy mate, who sees when thou art seen least wise. But if the sense of touch whereby mankind Is propagated seem such dear delight 580 Beyond all other, think the same voutsaf't To cattle and each beast; which would not be To them made common and divulg'd, if aught Therein enjoy'd were worthy to subdue The soul of Man, or passion in him move. 585 In loving thou dost well, in passion not, Wherein true Love consists not; love refines The thoughts, and heart enlarges, hath his seat 590 |